A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has declined an ex parte application filed by Edwin Woko, Nelson Dike, and two others seeking to restrain the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, along with other members of the state executive, from parading themselves as party leaders.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Stephen Jumbo refused to grant the ex parte motion, directing the plaintiffs to serve notice on Chukwuemeka, the PDP National Chairman, and other parties involved.
The judge instructed the respondents to appear before the court to justify why the motion should not be granted.
The case was adjourned to December 10, 2024, for a hearing on the substantive motion.
Addressing journalists after the court session, counsel for the plaintiffs, Bruno Mbaeri, provided insights into the court proceedings, emphasizing the legal basis for the application.
In an interview with Media Talk Africa, Edwin Woko, one of the plaintiffs, alleged that PDP stakeholders and principal members in Rivers State had, on September 28, inaugurated an interim leadership structure with him at the helm of affairs.
This group, comprising himself, Erien Naikachep Maurice, Nelson Ndubuisi, and Nyebuchi Dike, was reportedly set up to act as the party’s interim leaders until an inclusive congress is held, following the expiration of the tenure of the Chukwuemeka-led executive.
Woko further claimed that the congress that produced Chukwuemeka and his executive committee was conducted in violation of an existing court order, rendering it illegal.
“Our application before honorable Justice Jumbo is explicit.
“We are going to the court to restrain honorable Aaron Chukwuemeka and his co-travelers from parading themselves forthwith as the excos or executives of Rivers State PDP.
“That my own exco, Edwin Woko, we are the valid authentic exco members of the Rivers State PDP.
“So, we are praying that Aaron Chukwuemeka and his co-travelers, having completed their four years tenure, they should pack their load and go, and allow this party to have a fresh air.”
Media Talk Africa recalls that the PDP had proceeded with its congresses in Rivers State despite an interim injunction barring the conduct of the exercises.
